Approved Code of Practice - IOSH

Approved Code of PracticeA National Framework for Fire Risk Assessor Competency

November 2020 Version 1

Approved Code of Practice - A National Framework for Fire Risk Assessor CompetencyVersion 1 - November 2020

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This Approved Code of Practice has been prepared by a working group of fi re risk assessors who assembled at the invitation of the Fire Sector Federation to consider the implications of competency raised by Building a Safer Future Report1 . This report was produced in May 2018 by Dame Judith Hackitt DBE FREng following the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety that followed the tragic Grenfell Tower fi re, which occurred on 14 June 2017.

The Fire Risk Assessors Working Group was one of several groups established by the Competency for Building a Safer Future Steering Group (CSG) that had itself established by the Industry Response Group (IRG) which formed immediately after the fi re, when Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government joined with Build UK, the Construction Industry Council and Construction Products Association to initiate a response to the tragedy. CSG subsequently published both a Raising the Bar2 interim report and the Setting the Bar3 fi nal report.

The Code seeks consolidate the fi re industry recommendations of best practice on how to assess the competency of individuals who conduct fi re risk assessments. The Code’s foundation remains the guidance criteria originally undertaken to introduce The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 20054, which requires the Responsible Person to ‘make a suitable and suffi cient assessment of the risks to which relevant persons are exposed for the purpose of identifying general fi re precautions’. This foundation has be updated and expanded taking into account experience and learning over the intervening period.

The Code may be updated further and users are advised to ensure that are using the current version.

Dennis Davis CBE QFSM

ChairmanFire Risk Assessors Working Group

1 www.assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/fi le/707785/Building_a_Safer_Future_-_web.pdf

2 http://cic.org.uk/admin/resources/raising-the-barinterimfi nal-1.pdf http://cic.org.uk/admin/resources/executive-summaryraising-the-barinterimfi nal.pdf

3 http://cic.org.uk/admin/resources/setting-the-bar-9-fi nal-1.pdfhttp://cic.org.uk/admin/resources/setting-the-bar-exec-summary-fi nal.pdf

4 SI 2005 No. 1541

Introduction


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Index

1. Foreword

2. Scope

3. Accredited Third Party Certifi cation & Professional Body Membership3.1 Professional Body and Company Membership

4. Terms and Defi nitions

5. Core Competencies 5.1 Core Knowledge 5.2 Core Criteria 5.3 Areas of Core Knowledge

6. Functional Requirements for Specifi c Sectors 6.1 The overarching framework for demonstrating competency 6.2 Fire Risk Assessors Endorsement for demonstrating competency for High Risk Residential Buildings 6.3. High (Risk) Residential Buildings

7. Methods of Assessing Competence of Persons

8. Assessment Methodologies

9. Competency Assessments Recording and Re Assessments

10. Maintenance of Competence Training and Continuous Professional Development

Page Number

6

7

8

10

12

15

18

20

21

23


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Page Number

2425

26

28

29

30

31

32

33

38

39

52

Annexes

ANNEXE A - Extract from Original FRACCAppendix A - The Assessment of Risk from Fire

Appendix B - Applicable Legislation Appendix B1 - England and Wales Appendix B2 - Scotland Appendix B3 - Northern Ireland Appendix C - Appropriate Guidance

Appendix D - Behaviour of Fire in Buildings

Appendix E - Eff ects of fi re on people and behaviour of people in fi re situations

Appendix F - Means of Escape

Appendix G - Fire Prevention

Appendix H - Fire Protection Appendix H1 – Passive fi re protection Appendix H2 – Active fi re protection

Appendix I - Management of Fire Safety

ANNEXE B - Knowledge Skills Experience and Behaviour for Fire Risk Assessors 1. Key Duties of the Fire Risk Assessor 2. Knowledge Criteria 3. Skills 4. Behaviour 4.1 Behavioural Benchmarks 4.2 Personal Professional Code of Conduct

5. Recognition 6. Role Requirements for Competent Status

ANNEXE C- Qualifi cation Levels


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1. Foreword

This Code of Practice was developed by a work group established under a joint fi re and construction industry initiative following the Grenfell Tower fi re of 14 June 2017. Dame Judith Hackitt was commissioned by the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to review building fi re safety post the tragedy and produced a comprehensive Building a Safer Future Report (Hackitt Report).

Shortly thereafter MHCLG and an Industry Response Group (IRG) established a Steering Group on Competences for Building a Safer Future (CSG) to take forward the Hackitt Report recommendations. A series of working groups formed under CSG to consider in detail matters of competency and one, Working Group 4, reviewed fi re risk assessors and how their practices might be improved.

Dame Judith in her Hackitt Report commentary on general competence summarised “…While there are many competent people working within the system, the lack of a coherent and comprehensive approach to competence can seriously compromise the fi re safety of HRRBs , for example, where decisions are taken and/or materials are installed by people who do not fully understand the implications of how to achieve good quality building work, and the implications of getting it wrong”.

Further the Hackitt Report commented specifi cally on fi re risk assessment that “There are currently fi ve schemes for accrediting or certifying fi re risk assessors. Each scheme registers risk assessors who demonstrate the competencies identifi ed by the Fire Risk Assessment Competency Council (FRACC).

FRACC had published in 2011 ‘competency criteria for fi re risk assessors’; followed in 2014 with a complementary guide ‘choosing a competent fi re risk assessor’. Subsequently, in the period prior to the Grenfell Tower fi re, the Fire Sector Federation (FSF) had assumed responsibility for the FRACC. In January 2018 the FSF Competency Workstream, the successor to FRACC, published a broader ‘Fire Competency Framework ’.

However this previously published best practice guidance did not extend to specifi c consideration of the route to achievement of competence to carry out fi re risk assessments of HRRBs. Working Group 4, noting the Hackitt Report had proposed that FRACC should develop and introduce an enhanced level of competence for fi re risk assessors undertaking work on HRRBs, determined a new document should be produced that would be inclusive of the previous requirements of FRACC and the wider reaching Competency Framework for those working on HRRBs; this Code of Practice is that document.

The Secretary of State for the MHCLG as a further response to the Hackitt Report has taken forward matters of competency, by proposing extended legislation and standards to introduce a new building safety regime to include buildings where failure could put many people’s lives at risk or where many people sleep.

Further in 2020 proposals have been made by the Secretary of State regarding Building Safety and by the Home Offi ce to clarify the Fire Safety Order including consultation to progressively introduce improvements in fi re safety that require adherence to competency requirements for all risk assessors. These changes will include specifi cation and standards produced by the British Standards Institute. This Code of Practice seeks to off er a foundation for those changes insofar as they impact upon the production of fi re risk assessments.

5 Although High Rise Residential Buildings was the original term used this has become subsequently adapted to High Risk (Residential) Building

6 Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005


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2. Scope

The scope of this Code of Practice developed after review of earlier FRACC and FSF publications, is to provide a code of industry best practice that details the defi ned level of competence appropriate for those fi re risk assessors who are undertaking work on high risk buildings to satisfy the legal requirements and performance standards identifi ed as necessary to secure safety in those buildings.

An individual that conducts fi re risk assessments on high risk buildings may be someone employed by the organisation that owns or controls the high risk building, or someone that has been employed to conduct a fi re risk assessment such as a consultant.

High risk buildings are those that include many diff erent types of premises across many diff erent industries depending on amongst other factors any processes performed, any materials stored and the occupancy type. This document is for use, for high risk residential buildings and those that may be described as life safety critical buildings. Such buildings include for example, health and social care hospitals and homes, multi-occupied high-rise residential homes and residential educational and student accommodation. The principles detailed within this document can be applied to other non-residential high-risk buildings.

Although the current code is focused upon high risk buildings it will allow the user to develop and prepare a method for demonstrating or proving competence for fi re risk assessors who work on any building. For example, the concepts and requirements applied to buildings used as health and social care hospitals and homes, multi-occupied high rise residential homes and residential educational and student accommodation can be applied for use with other types of building such as warehouses, shops and heritage buildings.

High risk buildings as with all buildings require a methodical risk assessment process, often described in a series of steps using qualitative and quantitative measures, and this code seeks to off er a single, overarching competence supportive process.


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3. Accredited Third Party Certifi cation & Professional Body Membership

Accredited third party certifi cation (ATPC) is judged essential for fi re risk assessors, particularly those working on high risk buildings.

Competence of fi re risk assessors can be assured by either certifi cation of the individual fi re risk assessor or through a company providing fi re risk assessments under a third party certifi cation scheme accredited by the UK

Accreditation Service (UKAS), or by registration of the fi re risk assessor by a Professional Engineering Institution (PEI) that is licensed by the Engineering Council (EngC).

It is recognised that there may be other situations, for example in non-UK jurisdictions, where alternative ATPC is available in addition to the UKAS or EngC systems. In each case it will be necessary for the fi re risk assessor to satisfy their professional body and the accountable person that there is equitability, such as those used in PEI international accords.

In all cases, to assist the public in gaining reassurance, a fi re risk assessor should be registered with a professional body which has responsibility for maintaining ATPC compliance. Registers of persons or companies that are certifi cated or registered should be easily accessible to the public. The register must be easily accessible by the public and use suffi cient detail to record any individual who has satisfi ed the defi ned criteria.


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3.1 Professional Body and Company Membership

Each fi re risk assessor must be an employee of a company that is participating in a UKAS approved scheme or a member of a professional body licensed by the Engineering Council for the relevant independent assessment or actively working towards UKAS accreditation or Engineering Council licensing.

The role of the company or professional body is to monitor and support the individual fi re risk assessor and to register them or ensure they are part of the company register. The company or professional body should also provide independent individual assessment of competence through a process that allows the individual to be openly assessed as to their competence, regardless of whether that competence is set as part of a company scheme or the organisation’s own membership assessment i.e. there must be a recognisable independent process.

The expectation is that the company or professional body will record individuals on its register who are competent to conduct assessments of high risk buildings and who meet the standard of this Code of Practice. The register should be maintained up to date and accessible to the public.

An inquiry and complaints procedure should exist across all registers to enable those seeking to inquire, comment or make complaints either about the professional body’s processes or an individual’s performance or conduct.The professional body’s assessment process and the credentials of its assessment reviewers, who must be suitably qualifi ed in accordance with this Code of Practice, should be included in the public information off ered around the high risk buildings register to provide reassurance to the public. The credentials should show that the reviewers:• Have appropriate professional qualifi cations• Have appropriate areas of assessment expertise or specialism• Can demonstrate competencies relating to their ability to assess others• Have suitable experience and currency in fi re risk assessment• Can show by example the maintenance of their own continuous professional learning and development.


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4. Terms and Defi nitions

For the purposes of this Approved Code of Practice the following terms and defi nitions apply7.

Item Term and defi nition

1.0 Access level Level used for normal access to the building that either incorporates, or leads directly to, a place of ultimate safety

1.1 ACoP Approved Code of Practice. A guideline with a specifi c legal standing an ACoP is approved by the Health and Safety Executive, with the consent of the Secretary of State. It gives practical advice on how to comply with the law.

1.2 ATPC Accredited third party certifi cation

1.3 BTEC The Business and Technology Education Council

1.4 CDM The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015

1.5 Competent person A person, suitably trained and qualifi ed by knowledge and practical experience, and provided with the necessary instructions, to enable the required task(s) to be carried out correctly

1.6 Complex premises A building with structural, layout and occupation complexity, especially those buildings having fi re engineering solutions.

1.7 CPD Continuous Professional Development

1.8 DCLG The Department for Communities and Local Government

1.9 Dwelling Unit of residential accommodation, occupied (whether or not as a sole or main residence): a) by a single person or by people living together as a family; or b) by not more than six residents living together as a single household, including a household where care is provided for residents

1.10 EngC The Engineering Council

1.11 EQA External Quality Assessor/Assessment

1.12 EQF5 The European Qualifi cations Framework, Level 5 Qualifi cation

7 Where possible, for the avoidance of doubt the terms and defi nitions have been aligned with existing understanding such as those referenced within Approved Documents or British Standards


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Item Term and defi nition

1.13 Ethics and Behaviours Conducting oneself to a set of recognised principles

1.14 Fire resistance Ability of an item to fulfi l for a stated period of time the required fi re stability and/or integrity and/or thermal insulation, and/or other expected duty specifi ed in a standard fi re resistance test

1.15 FRACC Fire Risk Assessment Competency Council,

1.16 Higher fi re risk area Area where the risk of fi re is assessed as presenting risk to life and property beyond normal

1.17 HRRB Higher risk residential buildings (HRRBs), buildings that are 10 storeys or more in height (typically 18m or more as measured from the ground access level to the topmost occupied storey.

1.18 MHCLG The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

1.19 MHSW The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

1.20 NVQ National Vocational Qualifi cation

1.21 Peer review Independent third party assessment of work

1.22 PEI Professional Engineering Institution

1.23 RIBA The Royal Institute of British Architects

1.24 RR(FS)O The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, 2005.

1.25 UKAS UK Accreditation Service


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5. Core Competencies

5.1 Core Knowledge

Thirty-two areas of core knowledge have been identifi ed as being appropriate for demonstrating the skills, knowledge and behaviour necessary to conduct fi re risk assessments. Appropriate ranges of evidence for each area are also given in the criteria.

It is important to state that the objectives are in addition to the knowledge that is expected of a fi re risk assessor delivering an assessment in a building that would not fall within the description of a high -risk building.

The core knowledge will be complimented by sector-specifi c knowledge appropriate to the type of building. For example, heritage buildings have a range of concerns that would not typically be known by assessors unless they work within that sector. It is therefore important that assessors hold or have access to, and comprehend a commensurate level of knowledge and expertise for the sector in which they work in, preferably including via peer support.

5.2 Communication

There is also a general requirement that all practitioners have the ability to communicate eff ectively within multi-discipline professional teams, with those having responsibilities for fi re safety as duty holders and with those having legitimate enquiries as occupiers or residents.

Providing information from a fi re risk assessment, as mentioned above to persons having legitimate enquiries requires careful consideration. Legislation like the Fire Safety Order which places duties upon the Responsible Person, requires the fi re risk assessor to report in a full and open way to the Responsible Person or their nominated representative in order to ensure there is appropriate understanding to assist compliance. Similar concerns aff ect other duty holders under the MHSW and CDM and Regulations.

For example, a simple tick box exercise or checklist, unsupported by explanatory notes, will not be acceptable. It is important that the documented fi re risk assessment records the authority and responsibility of those involved in carrying out the risk assessment

What is also evident, given fi re risk assessments will often detail both anonymised and very specifi c information on persons, hazards, features, construction, etc. is that information of this kind is sensitive; in security terms by misuse, and in application and use, by misinterpretation. Considerations are therefore important to avoid situations that may compromise security and safety, to prevent harm from misuse and misinterpretation, whilst allowing incremental improvements, from safe to safer, by increasing awareness of fi re safety matters required to achieve compliance.

In this regard, the utilisation of a summary of conclusions and recommendations in a fi re risk assessment, although expedient for management, may also aff ect the overall eff ectiveness of interpretation. It is important that there is a clear recognition by the duty holder of the risk assessment process and context that precedes these determinations. Reference to the steps followed in a fi re risk assessment shown in published guides and standards can help explain this process. Again, it is incumbent upon the assessor to aid understanding and help avoid a duty holder from ‘jumping to conclusions’ or using ’clichés’, particularly when assessments are intended for use in public reporting.

8 Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

9 The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (2006 Amendment & 1999)

10 Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015


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5.3 Greater Awareness

The ability to communicate eff ectively includes appropriate interpersonal skills to explain, if requested in public, and to convey in writing as part of any submitted fi re risk assessment, the reasoning used to form assessment judgements and proposed solutions.

5.4 Fire Risk Assessment Report Content

Fire risk assessments involve measurement and calculation together with the requisite computing, numeric and spacial skills required to record, transmit and archive assessments.

Assessment templates that use ‘tick box’ or automated features to help generate the written assessments are often used as the formal record. Although they are not precluded, summarised reports must be supported by suffi cient textural narrative and explanatory information, based upon an actual site inspection of the building and drawings (if available) that permit the enforcing authority or another assessor to understand how the conclusions related to a building’s fi re risk were reached. Many examples of fi re and rescue service reporting templates can be found online.

Where there are cross functional items that are not specifi cally identifi ed, like law, regulation and legal understanding and those other additional requirements needed to create and manage a fi re safety strategy that lead into eff ective building fi re management processes these should also be clearly articulated with an appropriate explanation to assist the reader.

5.5 External Wall Systems

The Fire Safety Order 2005 is being clarifi ed that external wall systems are included within the scope of the Fire Safety Order. The assessment of risk from fi re from an external wall system to the occupants of a building can be complex often requiring knowledge that is not historically held by fi re risk assessors although a new British Standard 9988 is being prepared to assist. Assessing the risk includes a number of elements including, for example the type of material used in the system and its relative performance in a fi re, how the system is fi tted, passive fi re safety measures that contribute to controlling and limiting the spread of a fi re in the system and the quality of the installation of the system.

Fire risk assessors must be cognizant of the risk that some external wall systems introduce and how any risk may be mitigated. Equally so, the assessor must recognise the limits of their knowledge and experience and know when they require the assistance of experts such as fi re engineers to assist in the assessment process.

11 2006 Fire safety risk assessment must also be considered by the assessor and appropriately clear wording used a series of guides produced by DCLG available from GOV.UK

12 PAS 79:2012. Fire Risk Assessment. Guidance and a recommended methodology


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5.6 Core Criteria

Fire Risk Assessors operating in premises of the highest fi re risk should demonstrate they are operating at least to the level of the European Qualifi cations Framework Qualifi cation Level 5 and be aware of their competency limitations such as the range of knowledge and experience expected to work on high risk buildings.

Qualifi cation levels are to be assessed for equivalency by the governing body. In addition to technical competency, there is an expectation that fi re risk assessors can communicate eff ectively. This includes being able to report in writing to an appropriate level and thereby being able to express accurately and in suffi cient detail the reasons and objectives for their assessment outcomes. This will allow for challenge and the ability to demonstrate a clear understanding of the matters outlined in an assessment.

The fi re risk assessment document addresses the question directly for designated buildings during construction and occupation (RIBA stages 5 to 7) although this may be extended to stage 4 for certain projects and to ensure integration with fi re engineering systems and strategy.

5.7 Areas of Core Knowledge

The areas of core knowledge are defi ned in Annexe B after the original FRACC requirements that formed the foundation of this Code, which are shown in Annexe A

13 The European Qualifi cations Framework (EQF) is a common European reference framework whose purpose is to make qualifi cations more readable and understandable across diff erent

countries and systems.


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6 Functional Requirements for Specifi c Sectors

6.1 The overarching framework for demonstrating competency

The overarching framework for demonstrating competency to undertake practical fi re risk assessments in the built environment is shown in Figure 1. Three entry points into the professional competency area are envisaged to permit entry and support progressive personal development. This will enable an individual to build or use acquired fi re safety knowledge; gain skills as required through training whilst gaining experience initially under supervision, until they are able to demonstrate individual competency to the highest level.

Figure 1 Overarching framework for demonstrating competency


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6.2 Fire Risk Assessors Endorsement for demonstrating competency for High Risk Residential Buildings

Risk assessors working on high risk buildings are required to demonstrate competency at the highest level. Figure 2 explains how they are expected to show their extensive understanding of the complex interactions of fi re within buildings by gaining an endorsement to the general fi re risk assessor competency.

6.3 High Risk (Residential) Buildings

Achieving recognition as a fi re risk assessor competent to work on higher risk buildings requires an individual to meet all the requirements outlined in Figure 2, which includes all the attributes as a fi re risk assessor laid out in Figure 1. The individual must have in detail a verifi able relevant history of fi re risk assessment that satisfi es the competency criteria required as detailed in the Fire Risk Assessment Competency Council, Competency Criteria for Fire Risk Assessors (Annex A).

In demonstrating satisfactorily meeting the competency framework for a fi re risk assessor for higher risk buildings as laid out in Figure 2, additional detail of the competency criteria, over that detailed in the FRACC Competency Criteria for Fire Risk Assessors (Annex A), is set out below.

Figure 2 Competency framework with HRRB Endorsement demonstrating competency


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6.4. Existing Fire Safety Education

In reference to existing fi re safety education the terms adopted refl ect diff erent routes of entry. To assess higher risk buildings extensive fi re safety education is required. Generally that must comprise an education to EQF level 5 or above certifi ed by an approved educational or professional institution.

Existing routes show moderate fi re safety education, relating to EQF levels 3 and 4 validated by a recognised approved education or training centre, or basic fi re safety education meeting EQF level 1 and 2 criteria, often derived in a short course as part of job training for another role or as an entry route into the fi re sector. Although these are recognised they will require development.

The actual nature for delivering education is not prescribed. It may be gained in attendance on a formal course over several weeks; or from several online modules; or may consist of additional fi re safety education that forms part of, or is additional to, education given under academic conditions in a relevant related discipline (e.g. a degree in building surveying); or be blended from diff erent forms. However the assessment criteria, moderation and award must refl ect the rigour and integrity of nationally accepted standards for higher education.

A short fi re risk assessment course without training in the underpinning principles fi re safety is not appropriate as means to demonstrate meeting the requirement for fi re safety education.

6.5. Additional Fire Safety Training

Individuals demonstrating existing fi re safety education above EQF Level 2 must also demonstrate skill by undertaking appropriate additional fi re safety training for high risk buildings. The fi re safety educational level is seen as a determining feature in this process indicating the level of training in the assessment of high risk buildings.

The training must also be appropriate, recorded and formally accredited; either as part of continuing professional development, or as a specifi c training programme. A specifi c programme may comprise, for example, a course related to purpose-built fl ats or one on specialised housing.

For those with only basic existing fi re safety training this additional fi re safety training will need to be suitable and formally accredited training in higher risk buildings.

6.6. Experience and Examination

In each individual case the combined education and training is to be examined with specifi c attention given to high risk buildings taking into account the fi re safety experience of the individual. In this context the individual must already have extensive experience, i.e. 20 or more unsupervised or 5 reviewed assessments of high risk buildings, to be considered. The examination should include peer review of submitted case work to ensure both practical and theoretical assessment of competence.


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7 Methods of Assessing Competence of Persons

Competency is shown in the practical outcomes that involve the use of understanding and knowledge, being able to exercise judgment, recognising key principles as well as actingappropriately on that basis according to recognised key technical considerations to ensure adequate fi re safety in practice. The assessment of those skills, knowledge and behaviour is therefore a key consideration alongside ethical considerations referred to in this framework. The guidance that follows is intended to assist in deciding how best to assess the practical demonstration of skills, including on the job and in teaching environments.

Firstly, it is always important to ensure that all those who mentor or conduct assessments are themselves appropriately qualifi ed. This may be undertaken after internal or external training with the preference being that oversight of any training system is undertaken by an assessor who has a recognised and accredited qualifi cation from a third party that satisfi es appropriate national standards at level 5.Secondly, all evidence used in any assessment should be authentic and direct, that is, the person under assessment should be directly involved submitting their own work and this requires particular care to be taken with on-line or distance based assessments or written submissions where the composition cannot be directly supervised. This does not preclude a robust, remote invigilation of work, which is achievable depending on the nature of provision of assessment.

Where portfolio submission is required there will be further opportunity to question the validity and originality of material submitted through the internal and external assessor or verifi er interviews with the candidate. There may also be provision to submit evidence of learning through a video recording that demonstrates the application of practical skills providing in all cases the assessments are conducted in the appropriate manner and in circumstances that refl ect an accepted, common and eff ective practice among the specifi c part of the fi re sector that utilises these methodologies for qualifi cations and learning.

Thirdly, all assessments must refl ect the core knowledge and criteria detailed previously in this Code of Practice, in terms of the skills, knowledge and practices, required for the task being reviewed in enough depth and breadth and adequacy of examination across the range of issues and matters that are involved in the task, so as to ensure the assessment represents the complete competency.

Maintaining competency requires regular review and updating of assessment, knowledge and skills to ensure currency in the specifi c tasks undertaken. In this respect, continued education, knowledge and skills will assist the individual in maintaining their level of competency with an emphasis on ensuring learning, assessment and continual development remain relevant, reliable, robust and consistent when repeated.

Complete competency cannot however be achieved through assessment alone, as the methodologies used point towards evidence of understanding and knowledge and in part, practice. Maintaining competency further requires regular review and updating of practical application of skills to ensure currency in the specifi c tasks undertaken. Reference continuing professional development (CPD) is one of the main planks of this process and refers to the tracking and documenting of the skills, knowledge and experience that is gained both formally and informally as an individual works beyond any initial training. It is a record of what the individual experiences, learns and then applies as they move through diff ering levels of achievement. Fire risk assessors at all levels of competence must record an appropriate amount of CPD so that they can continue to meet the requirements of their registration or certifi cation body.


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In that context utilising external enterprises for training and assessment and engaging in recognised schemes and qualifi cation processes is fully supported and seen as advantageous in demonstrating to clients, users, agencies and the public, the competency of fi re risk assessors. The example of accredited examinations is a case in point where the expectation would be that they are externally quality assured either by a national regulator, by a recognised awarding organisation or by one of the recognised apprenticeship EQA organisations and that they are in turn recognised by the assessor’s registration or certifi cation body.

It is also acknowledged that within the fi re sector there are legacy and emerging practices where practitioners have either long experience with little or no formal external recognition or they are evolving practice to meet innovation. This Code of Practice encourages both these parties to join in active discussion with existing qualifi cation and award recognition bodies who off er third party accreditation to create special routes of access to their qualifi cations and awards that justify and recognise appropriate prior learning and enable, through incorporation where required of specifi c modules or assessments, recognition of the legacy or innovative competency requirements including entry to continued professional development.


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8 Assessment Methodologies

Suggested methodologies include:

1. In the workplace observation of the individual by line managers and skill assessors

2. Inspection of fi nished tasks in the workplace

3. Discussion and oral questioning of the subject or a project

4. Observation of a practical demonstration of a specifi c skill or activity

5. Review of reports prepared by individual’s supervisors

6. Review of process to complete a task examining professional approach

7. Examination of the quality and fi nish of completed work either in a training environment or in the

workplace

8. Observation and monitoring of individual whilst undergoing training

9. Review of completed work records that demonstrate areas of activity and quality of work

10. Examination in writing against a test paper based on previously given reading or training

11. Performance in fi re sector accredited examinations specifi cally designed to assess underpinning knowledge

12. Acceptance of certifi cates and qualifi cations from recognised external third parties

13. Review and assessment of case study, evidence portfolios or practical projects submitted to

demonstrate application and knowledge

14. Interview with trained assessor to identify behavioural skills

15. Monitored behaviour of performance in a peer group

16. Review of quantitative performance related to tasks that are similar, multiple or repetitive

17. Review of qualitative performance related to tasks that are complex, novel or innovative.


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9 Competency Assessments Recording and Re Assessments

One aspect of competency that can be overlooked is the maintenance of a suitable record that identifi es the how and what an individual has learnt and how that process might be continued to remain up to date with current standards and practices.Records can be as simple as a diary of dates and activities or sophisticated on-line records that can be analysed, interpreted and used as part of a business’s demonstration of its quality and attention to maintaining a skilled workforce. External bodies may also maintain records of individuals as part of the overall process of off ering assurance to specifi ers and users of certain products or skills. The record has to be reliable and easily reviewed and not complicated.The chosen record system will have to refl ect the organisational capability (often paper records for small businesses and electronic storage for larger businesses), use (for many or few, to identify capacity, trends, generate human resource data, etc.) and cost (a bureaucracy or few individuals). It should however always be resilient and interpretable by those who follow those that designed the record.Dependent upon the purpose (training, competency or assurance) a record in addition to personal and date data may include:1 Specifi c skills and the attainment level2 Tools or procedures undertaken3 The nature and reason the training or project was undertaken4 Evidence observed including notes and reports on performance, quality, and behaviour5 Location and circumstances of the task including specifi c conditions6 Costs, quantities, assessed qualities, diffi culties, losses7 Sign off and customer acceptance of quality and work8 Training and certifi cates awarded

Supervised work and training is usually best rather than an individual acting alone accepting in some circumstances this can be practically diffi cult to implement in small enterprises. The key is to qualify what is written in a record by another person who is either operating at a higher level of competency or utilise peers or a third party. This may assist in cases of argument and legal accountability.Maintaining competency is of course a continuous process and so the recording system needs to remain relevant and suitable for each individual. Some institutions mandate all their members to undertake and record activities designed to secure continuous professional development. Some employers will because of external regulatory controls require regular reassessment and licensing of individuals. In such cases the recording system may be prescribed and compliance regulated.In many tasks and businesses there is no such level of “control” but the importance of CPD in ensuring competency remains undiminished ethically and professionally with demonstrable performance, which might be tested in law, meaning all individuals should seek to maintain a CPD record.All fi re risk assessors must maintain their competency and undergo an independent professional body review by their certifi cation or accreditation body on a regular basis, which is conducted at intervals no greater than 3 years apart. Any changes which may aff ect the status of a fi re risk assessor on the professional body register should be notifi ed to the professional body so that the register can be updated accordingly.


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Figure 3 Example of CPD Record

Summary of CPD Activities

Name:

Employer:

Reference Number:

Continue on new sheet if necessary and total actual hours at end of record. Your CPD record should span the last

2 years only. Note - Informal study activities are credited on a two for one basis, that is two hours of informal study

represents one hour of formal study. CPD can be accompanied by evidence such as scanned CPD attendance

certifi cates, course attendance certifi cates or a letter from your line manager.


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10 Maintenance of Competence Training and Continuous Professional Development

All fi re risk assessors must maintain a record of their Initial Professional Development (IPD) and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) which should be available for auditing by their professional body or an independent third party to ensure maintenance of regulatory competencies.

Professional Bodies should ensure fi re risk assessors are competent in their role and provide appropriate opportunities for maintenance of competency.

The recommended minimum level of CPD activity is equivalent to 25 hours per year of formal fi re safety related study time. This may be spread in excess of 1 year, but in that case 75 hours of formal study should be completed over 3 years (provided that any 1 year has no less than 10 hours formal study time). It is expected that a record of CPD would include a mixture of formal and non-formal activities. Informal CPD is credited on a ‘two hours for one basis’. Formal study should not be less than 50% of total study time.

Maintaining competency in a systematic way in a continuous process is an expected action across most professions and is regarded as an obligation for fi re risk assessors operating at this level to assure their continuing competence in meeting this standard.

CPD may however be undertaken in many forms and for diff erent reasons. Apart from compliance with this Code of Practice CPD activity may be used to support personal development, for career interests or to meet a customer’s requirements. Essentially there must be a recorded system that remains relevant and suitable for each individual.It is noted that some companies and organisations have obligatory CPD, sometimes for external regulatory reasons, requiring all staff or members to undertake and record activities designed to secure CPD leading to the format and style of the system and its recording being prescribed. Regardless of the system or detailed requirements the overall need of CPD is to enable and demonstrate, possibly in a court of law, that a professional and ethical standard of competence has been maintained and delivered by an individual.

Often workplace related the CPD process should use the opportunities present at work to grow and enhance development whilst also seeking motivation, challenge and learning from specifi c occasions like external training courses or participation in forums that explores the boundaries and technicalities of the fi re risk assessors’ environment. Regular reading of articles or casual interactions with other professional disciplines can all enhance and enrich this process of acquisition and application of knowledge.

In order to support CPD it is suggested that there be a planned approach with designated targets of not simply duration over each year but related to areas which the individual assessor wishes to explore and expand into or those in which development is perceived as valuable or necessary. The individual’s professional body may assist with this task thereby off ering support, direction and encouragement.


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ANNEXE AExtract from Original FRACC

Appendix A The Assessment of Risk from Fire

It is innate to the process of carrying out a fi re risk assessment that there be an assessment of fi re risk. A competent fi re risk assessor must be able to make a subjective judgement – albeit based largely on objective evidence – of the overall risk to life from fi re in the premises for which a fi re risk assessment is carried out.

Accordingly, the fi re risk assessor should be able to;

Appreciate generally the concept of risk assessment as it applies to fi re.

Understand the terms “fi re hazard” and “fi re risk” and appreciate the relationship between the two.

Within the fi re risk assessment, reach a subjective opinion on diff ering levels of fi re risk for the purposes of making comparisons in premises where the fi re risk assessment is being carried out.

To enable the fi re risk assessor to carry out the above, the fi re risk assessor should; Be aware of the broad range of methodologies of fi re risk assessments available.

Be able to apply an appropriate methodology of fi re risk assessment in respect of the premises to which the fi re risk assessment relates.

Be able to identify fi re hazards (both common and process) and the risks associated with those hazards.

Be able to apply an understanding of fi re hazard and fi re risk in the premises in context, to make an informed judgement on the appropriate level of fi re precautions in the premises where the fi re risk assessment is being carried out.

Be able to express fi re risk for the client in such a manner as to provide at least, a broad comparison of the fi re risk at diff erent premises within a single estate of properties.


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Appendix B Applicable Legislation

It is not expected that the fi re risk assessor will have the skills of a legal expert. However, it is necessary for the fi re risk assessor to have a good understanding of the applicability, principles, objectives and intent of the legislation under which the fi re risk assessment is carried out, and of any associated legislation.


Generally determine the extent to which fi re safety arrangements in premises are adequate and whether duty holders comply with the relevant fi re safety legislation.

Identify failures to comply with the specifi c legislation, particularly those that may lead to the commission of an off ence.

Within the action plan of the fi re risk assessment, write a suffi cient outline requirement for any measures required to achieve compliance with the relevant legislation.

To enable the fi re risk assessor to carry out the above, the fi re risk assessor should;

Be aware of the relevant enforcing authority for the legislation under which the fi re risk assessment is carried out. Be able to understand and interpret actions of enforcing authorities. Be able to interpret the requirements of the enforcing authorities as set out in notices. Be aware of the relevant requirements of the legislation in respect of fi re risk assessment and the duties the legislation places on various persons. Be aware of any specifi c local acts relating to fi re. Be aware of the nature of non-compliances that may occur. Be aware of the nature of the off ences that may be committed. Be aware of the guidance that supports the legislation (see Appendix C). Be aware of the principles of prevention (as defi ned in the relevant European Directive). Be able to distinguish between the general fi re precautions (fi re safety measures) required by fi re safety legislation and the process fi re precautions required by health and safety legislation.

To enable the fi re risk assessor to carry out an appropriate risk assessment they must have regard to legislative and regulatory requirements of the country in which the assessment is taking place. Reference should be made to the following sub appendices:-

Appendix B1 – England and Wales Appendix B2 – Scotland Appendix B3 – Northern Ireland


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Appendix B Applicable Legislation (continued)

These do not cover every eventuality and a competent assessor should be capable of identifying when other laws or regulations need to be considered.

Appendix B1 - England and Wales Have a good understanding of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (“the Fire Safety Order”). Be aware of which enforcing authority enforces the Fire Safety Order in any premises for which a fi re risk assessment is carried out. Understand the meaning of the term “Responsible Person” and be able to identify the Responsible Person in premises for which a fi re risk assessment is carried out. Understand the meaning of “Persons having control of premises” and be able to identify such persons. Understand the meaning of the term “Relevant Persons”. Understand the meaning of the term “General Fire Precautions”. Understand the manner in which the Fire Safety Order applies to premises. Be fully aware of the requirements of Article 9 of the Fire Safety Order in respect of risk assessment. Understand the relationship between the Fire Safety Order and the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002. Understand the relationship between the Fire Safety Order and licensing legislation. Understand the relationship between the Fire Safety Order and the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Understand the relationship between the Fire Safety Order and the Housing Acts. Understand the meaning of the term “Reasonably Practicable”. Understand the concept of proportionality of general fi re precautions to risk. Understand the distinction between the failure to comply with the requirements of the Fire Safety Order and an off ence under the Order. Understand the relevant requirements of the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996.

Appendix B2 - ScotlandUnderstand the relationship between Part 3 of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 (“the Act”) and the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (“the Regulations”). Have a good understanding of the Act and the Regulations. Be aware of which enforcing authority enforces the Act and the Regulations in any premises for which a fi re risk assessment is carried out. Understand the meaning of the term “Employer” and be able to identify the Employer in premises for which a fi re risk assessment is carried out. Understand the meaning of “Persons having control of premises” and be able to identify such persons. Understand the meaning of the term “Relevant Persons”. Understand the meaning of the term ”Relevant Premises”. Understand the meaning of the term “Fire Safety Measures”. Understand the manner in which the Act and the Regulations apply to premises.


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Appendix B Applicable Legislation (continued)

Be fully aware of the requirements of Part II of the Regulations in respect of fi re risk assessment. Understand the relationship between the Act, the Regulations and the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002. Understand the relationship between the Act, the Regulations and licensing legislation. Understand the relationship between the Act, the Regulations and the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. Understand the relationship between the Act, the Regulations and housing legislation. Understand the meaning of the term “Reasonably Practicable”. Understand the concept of proportionality of fi re safety measures to risk. Understand the distinction between the failure to comply with the requirements of the Act or the Regulations and an off ence under the Act. Understand the relevant requirements of the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996.

Appendix B3 - Northern Ireland Understand the relationship between Part 3 of the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (“the Order”) and the Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (“the Regulations”). Have a good understanding of the Order and the Regulations. Be aware of which enforcing authority enforces the Order and the Regulations in any premises for which a fi re risk assessment is carried out. Understand the meaning of the term “Employer” and be able to identify the Employer in premises for which a fi re risk assessment is carried out. Understand the meaning of “Persons having control of premises” and be able to identify such persons. Understand the meaning of the term “Relevant Persons”. Understand the meaning of the term ”Relevant Premises”. Understand the meaning of the term “Fire Safety Measures”. Understand the manner in which the Order and the Regulations apply to premises. Be fully aware of the requirements of Part II of the Regulations in respect of fi re risk assessment. Understand the relationship between the Order, the Regulations and the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003. Understand the relationship between the Order, the Regulations and licensing legislation. Understand the relationship between the Order, the Regulations and the Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978. Understand the relationship between the Order, the Regulations and housing legislation. Understand the meaning of the term “Reasonably Practicable”. Understand the concept of proportionality of fi re safety measures to risk. Understand the distinction between the failure to comply with the requirements of the Order or the Regulations and an off ence under the Order. Understand the relevant requirements of the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996.


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Appendix CAppropriate guidance

The fi re risk assessor should have knowledge of the suites of guidance produced by the applicable government departments together with other guidance produced by industry, standards making bodies, etc. that apply to the premises on which the fi re risk assessment is being undertaken. Much of this guidance cross references other guidance and it is the duty of the competent fi re risk assessor to be able to navigate through these sets of guidance and to maintain their currency as guidance is refreshed and new guidance is produced. This will form part of their formal continual professional development which will need to be evidenced to allow for 3rd party certifi cation.

Accordingly the fi re risk assessor should be able to;

Determine the appropriate guidance applicable to the premises to which the fi re risk assessment is being carried out, whilst fully appreciating that guidance should not be applied prescriptively.

Apply such guidance in a proportional manner, keeping in mind the use to which the premises are being put.

Understand the limitations and/or dangers of applying small parts of diff erent guidance documents (“cherry picking”) as a solution.

Evidence how they are maintaining their currency in respect of applicable guidance and standards.


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Appendix DBehaviour of fi re in buildings

The behaviour of fi re in a building will be determined by a combination of its structural design, construction materials, passive and active fi re safety elements, the use to which the building is put, nature and quantity of combustible materials and the standard of management applied. Active and Passive fi re safety is covered in Appendix H and Management of fi re safety is covered in Appendix I.

Although the structural performance of the building is not strictly within the remit of a fi re risk assessor, as this should have been dealt with when it was built, a fi re risk assessor must have regard to this aspect.


Generally determine how fi res can start and the how the spread of fi re and products of combustion can impact on components of the building. Identify failures and/or changes to the building that could change the way a fi re and products of combustion travel through the building.

To enable the fi re risk assessor to carry out the above, the fi re risk assessor should have;

Knowledge of the principles of combustion (triangle of fi re). Knowledge of fi re growth and how it gets progressively bigger. Knowledge of movement of smoke and other products of combustion. An awareness of how construction materials behave in a fi re. An awareness of how diff erent structural designs of buildings behave in a fi re. An awareness of how fi re spread can be inhibited by passive and active fi re protection methods (see Appendix H). An awareness of how to identify that the subsequent use or alteration of the building can invalidate pre-existing fi re safety precautions and/or strategies.


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Appendix E Eff ects of fi re on people and behaviour of people in fi re situations

It is not expected that the fi re risk assessor will have the skills of a behavioural psychologist. However, whilst most other aspects of fi re safety are concerned with physical or system based issues, understanding human behaviour in the event of a fi re is an essential part of the knowledge of a fi re risk assessor’s role.


Anticipate the way people will generally behave in fi re situations. Identify potential problems arising from the likely behaviour of people in the premises for which a fi re risk assessment is being carried out. Within the action plan of the fi re risk assessment, taking account of the likely behaviour of people in the premises in the event of fi re, make recommendations for managerial or other measures considered necessary.


Be aware of hazards to people from fi re, namely loss of visibility, elevated temperature, toxic gases and oxygen depletion. Be aware of current professional thinking and practical guidance on human behaviour in fi re, including case studies. Be able to anticipate the likely behaviour of people in fi re for those premises being assessed. Be aware of the eff ect of splitting of family groups. Be aware of the likely response of people to discovery of a fi re. Be aware of the likely response of people to a fi re alarm signal. Understand the eff ect of frequent false alarms on willingness to evacuate. Understand the importance of the actions of those in charge at the time of a fi re. Understand the importance of staff training and the infl uence of training and drills on occupant behaviour in the event of fi re. Understand the importance of a structured emergency plan. Understand the eff ect of diff erent cultures on fi re and evacuation behaviour. Understand the eff ect of escape route design on evacuation behaviour, including the tendency to use familiar egress routes.


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Appendix F Means of Escape

The proper provision of means of escape is an essential part of fi re safety measures in all premises. A fi re risk assessor must have regard to this important aspect.


Understand the means of escape strategies for diff erent types and occupancy of premises. Understand the principles of fi re related emergency planning and evacuation. Understand the implications of how diff erent needs of people can aff ect the selection of the appropriate means of escape.


Understand that all persons within the premises should be able to reach a place of ultimate safety before life-threatening conditions arise; either unaided or with the assistance of staff - without FRS assistance. (RSET versus ASET) Understand that any emergency plan should be compatible with the normal every-day use of the premises. Understand the principles relating to alternative escape routes, dead ends and single direction of escape. Understand the principles relating to horizontal and vertical escape. Understand the principles relating to travel distances and travel times. Understand the principles relating to provision of adequate number(s) and dimensions of routes and exits. Understand the principles relating to appropriate use of door releases and other escape devices. Understand the principles relating to protected escape routes. Understand the principles relating to relative and ultimate places of safety. Understand the principles relating to means of escape other than stairs. Understand the relationship between fi re detection systems and means of escape. Have an awareness of how smoke control systems can assist means of escape. Have an awareness of the provisions for, and maintenance of, evacuation signage. Have an awareness of the provisions for, and maintenance of, emergency lighting. Have an awareness of procedures and methods of assisted evacuation including the need for the training of staff in the emergency procedures and use of such equipment.


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Appendix GFire Prevention

Fire Prevention should be regarded as a vital part of fi re safety and is an important part of any assessment. The law requires that one takes appropriate steps to reduce the likelihood of fi re and of the spread of fi re on the premises and to mitigate the eff ects of any fi re that occurs.


Understand and apply the appropriate principles of prevention. Identify and have an understanding of the diff erent types of hazard. Evaluate the risk, and consider the appropriate method of managing the risk.


Understand the term “as low as reasonably practicable‟ (ALARP). Understand how ALARP should be applied proportionately to the risk in the premises. Understand that removal of the hazard should be the fi rst step in fi re prevention. Understand if the hazard cannot be removed the next step is to reduce the risk. Understand that if the risk cannot be reduced to an acceptable level then appropriate protective measures will need to be implemented. Understand the need to maintain the measures undertaken above, especially when changes are made to the use, structure or layout of the premises.


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Appendix HFire Protection

It is not expected that a fi re risk assessor will carry out any engineering evaluation or examination of detailed design of passive or active fi re protection systems or equipment, but such systems and equipment should be considered in terms of their suitability for the premises, and requirements in respect of appropriate maintenance and necessary testing.

A competent fi re risk assessor must have the ability to identify correctly the passive and active elements of fi re protection/design and their role in the provision of fi re safety in the premises. This will include how they may interact e.g. if the fi re alarm system triggers a door release mechanism to release held open doors to the closed position. The sub-appendices below identify the elements that should be used to evaluate the competence of fi re risk assessors.

Accordingly the fi re risk assessor should be able to:

1. Determine the need for fi re protection systems and equipment; 2. Identify any major failings in the level of passive and/or active fi re protection provided by existing systems and equipment from documentation, by observation and, where necessary inspection of measures that are not immediately visible; 3. Write a brief outline requirement for new or upgraded systems and equipment, within the action plan of the fi re risk assessment 4. Demonstrate an ability to correctly identify the purpose, function and suitability of passive or active elements of fi re protection/design. 5. Understand the availability and value of third party certifi cation schemes for persons, systems and products.

To enable the fi re risk assessor to carry out an appropriate risk assessment they must have regard to the passive and active systems installed within the premises and any necessary interaction between the two.

Reference should be made to the following sub appendices:-

Appendix H1 – Passive fi re protection Appendix H2 – Active fi re protection


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Appendix H1 – Passive fi re protection

The fi re risk assessor should have a knowledge and understanding of the role in the provision of fi re safety, including the types of fi re performance requirements (load bearing capacity, integrity, insulation, reaction to fi re performance etc.) of the following:-

Fire protection to structural frame The signifi cance of any immediately visible damage.

Fire resisting walls, fl oors and ceilings forming escape routes Their location in the building. The need to maintain the fi re resistance: • of and above any suspended ceilings. • below any raised fl oors. • where they are penetrated by services (cables, pipes, ducts etc.).

Cavity barriers Their location in the building. Their importance in particular types of premises construction.

Fire-resisting glazing Its location in the building. Types of fi re resisting glazing and relevant limitations in the use of non-insulating types. The signifi cance of any immediately visible damage and the need to repair it.

Fire doors and furniture The importance of correct fi tting of the door in the frame including door gaps. The importance of suitable fi re rated ironmongery e.g. self-closing devices, latches etc.. The need for appropriate intumescent protection: • around the periphery of the door leaf. • to ironmongery. • to glazing. The provision and condition of any smoke seals. The ability to self-close. The ability of any door retention device to release e.g. on the operation of any fi re alarm/detection system (from documented maintenance records/checks). The assistance of any third party labelling in ascertaining the above. The limitations on techniques for upgrading fi re door performance e.g. using intumescent coatings, self-adhesive intumescent strips etc..

Fire-resisting dampers (mechanical or intumescent) Their location in the building. Their operation (from maintenance records).


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Their operation as part of any smoke control system (from maintenance records/checks).

Fire-resisting ductwork Its location in the building. The need to maintain the fi re resistance where it penetrates compartment and/or fi re resisting walls/fl oors by the use of suitable penetration seals.

Fire-resisting service ducts and shafts Their location.

Firefi ghting shafts and stairwells Their location in the building.

Penetration seals for pipes, cables and other services Their location in the building. Their visible condition including the use of unsuitable repairs. The use of sealing systems not supported by test evidence relevant to the end use of the product.

The building envelope, e.g. fi re-resisting external walls, curtain walls The signifi cance of their role in protecting external escape routes at boundaries. The signifi cance of any immediately visible damage. The importance of remedying any immediately visible damage in sandwich panel constructions using combustible insulating cores.

Wall and ceiling linings in escape routes The signifi cance of extensive over painting. The signifi cance of large quantities of combustible items (notice boards, notices etc.).


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Appendix H2 – Active fi re protection

The fi re risk assessor should;

For Fire Detection and Alarm (FD&A) Systems and Voice Alarm Systems:

Be able to determine the appropriate category of FD&A system to match the risks for a (non-domestic or domestic) premises. Be able to determine the circumstances where a Voice Alarm system is appropriate for the risks. Understand how FD&A systems interlink with other systems and equipment. Understand the need for door release mechanisms to fail safe and the need for ancillary equipment. Understand the circumstances in which there is a need for a connection to an alarm receiving centre. Be aware of the importance of avoiding false alarms, and have an awareness of elementary measures for their avoidance. Be aware of available adaptations to FD&A systems for deaf and hard of hearing people. Understand how phased evacuation and staged alarm systems interact. Be aware of the basic requirements for siting manual call points. Understand the common types of detectors and their limitations. Understand the common alarm devices and their limitations. Be aware of situations in which cables should be fi re resisting. Be aware of the need for zone plans and their value to the Fire and Rescue Service. Be aware of the certifi cates that should be issued by “Competent Persons” and key points contained in them. Understand the appropriate frequency and nature of routine testing and maintenance.

For Emergency Voice Communication systems (EVC): Understand the need for, and purpose of, EVC systems. Be aware of the main components and their locations. Understand the appropriate frequency and nature of routine testing and maintenance.

For Emergency Escape Lighting (EEL): Be aware of the common forms of EEL system, their principles of operation (i.e. self contained and central systems) and modes of operation (maintained & non maintained). Be aware of limitations in the use of standby generators. Understand situations where maintained EEL is necessary. Be aware of the basic requirements for positioning of luminaires and understand the meaning of “Point of Emphasis”. Be aware of the relationship between EEL and signs.


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Be aware of the certifi cates that should be issued by “Competent Persons” and key points contained in them. Understand the appropriate frequency and nature of routine testing and maintenance.

For First Aid Fire Fighting Equipment: Have an understanding of the situations in which fi refi ghting equipment are necessary. Have an understanding of the diff erent fi re extinguishing agents, their applications and limitations. Have an understanding of the diff erent roles of portable fi refi ghting equipment and hose reels. Be aware of the basic requirements for selection, provision and siting of fi refi ghting equipment.

Understand the appropriate frequency and nature of routine inspection and maintenance.

For Fire Suppression systems: Be aware of the common forms of fi re suppression systems and their principles of operation. Be aware of the situations where an automatic fi re suppression system is necessary for compliance with legislation or for life safety purposes. Be aware of the basic guidance for siting of devices such as sprinkler heads. Be aware of the certifi cates that should be issued by “Competent Persons” and key points contained in them. Understand the appropriate frequency and nature of routine testing and maintenance.

For Smoke Control systems: Understand the diff erent types and roles of smoke control systems that may be found in premises and their principles of operation. Be aware of the situations where a smoke control system is necessary for compliance with legislation or life safety. Be aware of the certifi cates that should be issued by ‟Competent Persons‟ and key points contained in them. Understand the appropriate frequency and nature of routine testing and maintenance.

For Access and Facilities for the Fire and Rescue Service: Understand the types of, and need for, access and facilities for the Fire and Rescue Service. Understand the appropriate frequency and nature of routine testing and maintenance.


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Appendix I Management of Fire Safety

Management of Fire Safety is a wide ranging subject and can include all those matters covered in the previous appendices (A to H inclusive).


Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the principles and practices of Management of Fire Safety. Understand how they relate to the protection of life of persons within and around premises. Assess the management capabilities and controls in place, balanced against and pertinent to, the occupation and purpose of the premises. Give clear and appropriate advice to the duty holder.

To enable the fi re risk assessor to carry out the above, the fi re risk assessor should have an appropriate knowledge and understanding of;

Available resources and status of responsibility of the person responsible for management of fi re safety. Staffi ng levels (staff -occupant ratio). Fire training – including fi re drills and responsibility levels in event of a fi re. Emergency and evacuation procedures (including existing emergency plan, its compatibility with ordinary every- day use of the premises and its provisions for disabled persons). Signs and signage. Work control – contractors and similar (Permit systems etc.). Communications procedures (alerting to fi re, internal communication etc.). Maintenance and testing of fi re safety systems and record keeping. Degraded systems planning. Abnormal occupancy planning. Fire load management. Monitoring of special or unusual hazards. The documentation required by legislation.

In addition the fi re risk assessor should have a knowledge of the issues relating to people especially at risk and the appropriate types of evacuation strategies, including;

The presence of and an awareness of how mobility and other disability limitations can aff ect the evacuation strategy of the premises. The presence of and an awareness of how children and the very elderly can aff ect the evacuation strategy of the premises.The presence of and an awareness of how people asleep or otherwise unable to escape quickly or unaided can aff ect the evacuation strategy of the premises. An awareness of the diff erent lone workers, isolated workers. An awareness of personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEPs). An understanding of the diff erent types of evacuation strategies including simultaneous evacuation, phased evacuation, progressive horizontal evacuation, zoned evacuation


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ANNEXE BKnowledge Skills Experience and Behaviour for Fire Risk Assessors

1 Key Duties of the Fire Risk Assessor

Currently, there are no nationally recognised occupational standards for fi re risk assessors. There are, however, key duties that must be understood and those below form the essential functions of a fi re risk assessor. The following capabilities are based upon the existing FRACC requirements but have been updated and mapped to the key functions described below. These should assist in easier creation of training, development and quality assurance activities. The functions to be demonstrated by assessors are:1. Identify hazards and risks associated with fi re in general and specialist buildings and processes2. Report fi re risk issues including any directly related to awareness of reporting arrangements for residents and occupants 3. Evaluate existing fi re risk assessments including appropriateness for the risk4. Audit management of fi re safety systems5. Recommend controls to manage residual risks, including where necessary in higher risk situations temporary controls that might be required until a permanent control is implemented

The means by which these functions can be met are described in this document as knowledge, skills, experience and behaviours (KSEB). They, in combination describe competence. The ACOP includes details of how such competence can be maintained. The lists provided below are not exhaustive and cannot take every skill or piece of knowledge that may be required into account. As a result, these may be amended over time.


of x

2 Knowledge CriteriaRelated to the Core Criteria the following knowledge needs to be understood. The extent of this knowledge must be commensurate with the required role and activities of the assessor:


of x


of x

3 SkillsSkills relate to the things that a fi re risk assessor must be able to do. The knowledge and understanding above make up the building blocks of skills and show what is required to carry them out.


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4 BehaviourThe fi re sector has a duty to act responsibly and to show that it meets the ethical behaviours expected of it by commerce and the public. In addition and in part refl ecting the possible consequences of actions by its members that can adversely impact society in a way that goes beyond the client and individual professional, it also should act in a manner that actively promotes and supports a high ethical position.

Individuals are therefore expected to help safeguard the public by acting ethically when reaching decisions and undertaking work. In some cases, this responsibility may itself be regarded as a compliance issue by an individual’s own professional body or registration organisation. Regardless of whether this is or is not a regulated situation, the principle of seeking to act ethically and in the public interest at all times is a key feature of competent behaviour.In a practical context, given many individuals in the fi re sector will be employed by other professionals or a corporate entity, it is important to ensure that those others or entities also act and endorse ethical behaviour by off ering open and accessible routes to register concerns or confl icts to fi nd resolution without personal penalty and off er methods of appeal to those individuals and the public who register dissatisfaction with decisions or performance.

Considerable assistance on design and operation of ethical policies and practices exist in the engineering profession and as a general approach the Engineering Council and Royal Academy of Engineering have jointly produced a statement of four key ethical principles that promote: honesty and integrity; respect for life, law, the environment and public good; accuracy and rigor; and leadership and communication.

Underpinning this ethical application there has to be a culture that believes fi re safety is essential to safeguard life and must not be compromised. Work associated with fi re safety has therefore to be undertaken in a diligent and competent manner throughout any building’s life from inception to demolition.

4.1 Behavioural BenchmarksThe following list off ers an insight into the commonly accepted benchmarks expected of ethical behaviour. They are split into:• Respect for life, law, the environment and the public good.• Honesty and integrity• Accuracy and rigour• Responsibility for direction, conduct and communication


of x


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4.2 Personal Professional Code of Conduct Each key function of the fi re risk assessor requires a variety of knowledge, understanding and skills. The behaviours expected from the assessor in performing those are, in general, uniform. As a result, it is anticipated that the behavioural requirements listed in the previous section, ‘Behavioural Benchmarks’, can be met with the adoption of a Personal Professional Code of Conduct.

However it should be noted that although the code of conduct is applicable in all cases it is not directly linked and therefore does not refer to all the benchmarks. The benchmarks include things that are more specifi c whereas the code of conduct is of a more general in nature.

Conduct; this is outlined below:I agree to behave as a responsible individual, and promote responsible behaviour amongst others. I recognise that a building’s safety and the safety of its users and occupants both now and in the future depends on people like me acting considerately and responsibly, making the right decisions and taking the correct actions. I understand work undertaken on the fabric, function and services of a building may directly or indirectly eff ect its operation and ultimately its performance in the event of an emergency -such as a fi re- that could cause harm or cost lives (B21). I will act diligently and seek assistance if I am unclear or concerned about any aspect of my actions aff ecting safety (B26).

I therefore agree to be:1 Responsible for my actions and for the consequences of my actions protecting the natural and built environment working for the public good and sustainable future. (B4, B5, B6, B7, B11)

2 Fair and value others diverse thoughts and opinions avoiding confl icts and impropriety, challenging statements of professional concern and expressing objective and truthful statements and opinions. (B8, B11, B20, B25, B26)

3 Truthful, trustworthy and honest reporting cheating and dishonesty and protect items, data and equipment from misuse and theft (B2, B3, B8, B12, B13, B20)

4 Respectful and conscious of others safety and welfare. (B1, B10, B14)

5 Conscious of operating within my own competency limits, staying up to date and helping others learn while remaining open to challenge showing respect and conscientiousness in my job or role (B15. B16, B17, B18)

6 Committed to identify, evaluate, quantify, mitigate and manage risks to the best of my abilities and communicate my opinions as eff ectively, openly and as unambiguously as possible (B19, B20, B21)

7 Seek to raise public awareness of the impact of fi re, educating and communicating safe behaviour. (B24)

8 Careful not to abuse to my mental and physical health (B14)

9 Avoid harassment, intimidation or threatening and report anyone engaging in such behaviour. (B2)

10 Respectful of others regardless of their age, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, being married or in a civil partnership, being pregnant or on maternity leave, disability, race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin. (B8, B9, B23)


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5 RecognitionIt is important to ensure that the Knowledge, Skills, Experience and Behaviours (KSEB) for fi re risk assessors are clearly defi ned so that it is clear how each duty of the role can be undertaken to a consistent and competent level. This helps answer the question about just how much someone needs to know and what they need to know to become competent.

Understanding the levels of KSEB required to ensure that the risk assessor can be competent at their role is dependent on what their role demands. For example, it is likely that for a risk assessor who is only undertaking risk assessments in small commercial premises such as offi ces and shops, the technical levels of knowledge required will be much more basic than will be needed to undertake a risk assessment of a high risk building.

Similarly, the skills required to undertake the functions of a risk assessor will not change signifi cantly between premises types. The practical diff erence will be seen via the greater technical knowledge and the greater degree of experience, which together lead to an overall greater understanding, of what will be expected of the individual.

The validators who assess the training and development undertaken must therefore have the capability to defi ne and assess the actual content of understanding and expertise which is required for the risks being undertaken. For example, when undertaking a risk assessment in a high risk building that comprises multi-occupied accommodation, it will be necessary for the assessor to have, in addition to their general knowledge and understanding of:• How the external wall system in such a building will have been constructed. • The purpose of the system. • The materials that can be used in an external wall system. • Its behaviour in fi re and how the wall system could interact with the rest of the building.

It is clear that, in order to provide this knowledge, there needs to be clarity in job specifi cation and an understanding between the employer and the training provider. Similarly those organisations which provide validation of the individual should fully understand the role of the assessor and ensure they can be assessed against criteria that are relevant to that task.


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6 Role Requirements for Competent Status


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All behaviours are applicableSee the role description for minimum experience requirements. Lower levels of experience can be tolerated when this duty is carried out under supervision.


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ANNEXE CQualifi cation levels

The UK has four qualifi cation award systems: 1. Regulated Qualifi cations Framework (RQF) for England and Northern Ireland; 2. Credit and Qualifi cations Framework for Wales (CQFW); 3. Scottish Credit and Qualifi cations Framework (SCQF), and4. Framework for Higher Education Qualifi cations for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ). In 2010 the UK referenced the three UK qualifi cations frameworks to the European Qualifi cations Framework. The EQF is a common European reference framework whose purpose is to make qualifi cations more understandable across borders of diff erent countries and systems and provides a comprehensive overview over qualifi cations Europe.

The core of the EQF is its eight reference levels defi ned in terms of learning outcomes, i.e. knowledge, skills and autonomy-responsibility. Learning outcomes express what individuals know, understand and are able to do at the end of a learning process. This Code uses the RQF framework for qualifi cation references. For example a risk assessor operating in the highest risk premises should be RQF Level 5 or higher.

A typical Level 5 RQF higher education award would be: Foundation degrees; Diplomas of Higher Education (DipHE); Higher National Diplomas (HND) awarded by degree-awarding bodies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland under licence from Pearson and in terms of UK qualifi cations match: 4 and 5 Regulated qualifi cations framework (RQF), the Framework for higher education qualifi cations (FHEQ) and Credit and qualifi cations framework for Wales (CQFW); Level7 and 8 Scottish credit and qualifi cations framework (SCQF) and Level 6 National framework of qualifi cations for Ireland (NFQ IE).

A Level 5 RQF individual: will demonstrate comprehensive, specialised, factual and theoretical knowledge within a fi eld of work or study and an awareness of the boundaries of that knowledge; will be able to use a comprehensive range of cognitive and practical skills to develop creative solutions to abstract problems; and will exercise management and supervision in contexts of work or study activities where there is unpredictable change, being responsible for review and development of the performance of self and others

Qualifi cations are also often associated with national occupational standards, including the replaced fi re National Vocational Qualifi cation and regulated qualifi cations like City and Guilds, to show qualifi cation from entry into work and before higher education. Vocational learning is extremely common in industry and the public sectors with many off ering qualifi cations including apprenticeships. In house employer training that has not been externally regulated or quality assured is therefore a feature that is encompassed in the Framework although preferably with third party assurance. Demonstration of achievement by possession of the appropriate level of qualifi cation is important to those who use and specify those services.

Approved Code of Practice - IOSH

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